Review and critical assessment on the interaction of urban spaces and technology : the case of the urban road

Abstract

The road traditionally accommodated traffic but also leisure activities, social activities and even work. However, technology has dynamically entered our lives, enabling us to replicate activities in public that used to be private. It is considered that the lines between public space and private territory, human interaction and human alienation are becoming more and more blurred. The more interaction between digital and physical environments is increasing, the more our cities are changing. This paper intends to explore how urbanisation and spatial hierarchies are redefined by technological transitions. The first part of this research is a literature review, on the studies that concern the interrelation among three key components: people, space and ICT. The second part of this research highlights the proven consequences of technological progress in the shape and structure of the city by studying the evolution and interaction of the urban road and transport technologies (automobiles, highways). This research aims to map the current knowledge concerning the interaction between people, public space and ICT.